| Author | Message | ||
     Dr_greg |
Yes, I know the Ulysses shifts much better than the early XBs (I had an '03 XB9R) but mine (YMMV) still doesn't shift as easily as, say, my Aprilia Mille. Since Mobil-1 greatly improved the shifting on my old 9R, what about the 12X? Yes, I know the clutch plates (and the lubricant, apparently) is "new and improved" but my question still stands. I'm very easy on the clutch, but there is that tall first gear... | ||
| Whodom |
You could always ask Mobil; they are pretty good about responding to questions submitted through their website. A few months ago, some BadWebber asked them what they actually recommended for pre-06 Buell transmissions/primaries, and they (a little surprisingly) recommended Mobil-1 Synthetic 10W-40 motorcycle oil (NOT the 20W-50). I wonder if anyone here has actually tried that. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I'm wondering if the Formula+ snake oil is really special or if it's just regular old oil. I'm putting the Formula+ in my bike for now, but I'm sure some information will come out regarding a full synthetic replacement. Has anyone considered getting it analyzed. Might be interesting to see what's in it. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Look at it this way. If you only use the Formula+ for the next 60000 miles it will cost you about $40.00 to keep the transmission/primary drive oil changed. What do you want to achive using a different oil? | ||
| Chadhargis |
It's not a money thing. It's a quality thing. I'm a huge believer in synthetic oils. I think they are superior to conventional oils in both lubrication qualities and flow properties. Not to mention they tolerate heat better, but that's not really an issue in a tranny as much as it is an engine. I've used Redline Lightweight Shockproof in my BMW trannys and the shaft drives too. Always liked it. It's MORE expensive than Formula+ (about $8 a quart for the Redline), but I get a warm fuzzy knowing it's some of the best snot you can buy. Just wondered if I could switch to a synthetic oil without any clutch slippage. My BMWs had a dry clutch. I've never owned a bike that has seperate tranny oil AND a wet clutch, so I'm treading lightly and sticking with the factory juice for now. | ||
| Lovehamr |
Again, if you have questions about oils and their myths and facts you may want to check this site out. Huge amount of data here. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ Steve | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Synthetics are great oils and as written before, I use Mobil 1 15w50 in my harley and will use it in my ULY next oil change. I don't think synthetic gear oil is necessarily any better than fossil gear oil. You need good shear force protection but you don't have the reciprocating parts and combustion heat in the transmission and that is where the syn oil shines for the crankcase. I'd appreciate it if anybody thinks my logic is sound because I would not have a problem in going synthetic in the trans if anyone has a good argument for it. | ||
| Whodom |
Electraglider- I'm pretty sure synthetics are VERY resistant to breaking down from shear, much more so than conventional oils. Breakdown from shearing shows as a viscosity reduction as the oil gets older. If you check the UOA's (Used Oil Analyses) at bobistheoilguy, you'll see this is one thing they really harp on. This would seem to make synthetics as advantageous in transmissions as they are in engines. It would be really interesting to have new oil analyses done on Sporttrans and Forumula+ and see what obvious differences there are. One thing's pretty certain- people here have run Sporttrans, Formula+, HD Syn3, Mobil-1 20W-50 V-twin engine oil, Mobil-1 75W-90 gear oil, at least a couple of different Royal Purple gear oils, and who knows what else in their transmissions without evident problems. The Buell transmissions (at least the pre-06 ones) must be pretty tolerant of different lubricants. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Thanks. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Electra- Going to Mobil-1 75W-90 synthetic gear oil really Really, REALLY improved the shift quality of my XB9R; many other BadWebbers have found the same. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I'll give that Mobil 1 75w90 a try. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
Here is the way I see it all ULY's are still under warranty. Red Line is headquartered here in Benicia and sponsors our AFM race team. So as a retired airline engineer responsible for oil systems I understand and use Synthetic oils every where except in my ULY. On my ST3 Buell I use RL 75 90 and RL super light gear oil in my 650 cc Blast at Bonneville. We took a quart of F+ and gave it to RL for analysis and their answer was that at the present time they do not have an equilvent product. F+ has additives to promote friction between the clutch plates. The H-D Motor Company including Buell has stated that the approved oil for 06 Sporsters, Buells and Dynas is F+ due to transmission changes. ... I am sure that RL and the other companys will soon have products that meet the H-D Buell Specs. So until they do and Buell has to pay for any repairs I can wait... Terry (Message edited by buelldyno_guy on December 10, 2005) | ||
| Chadhargis |
Thanks for the info! I'm glad someone had and analysis done on Formula+. Imagine that, PROMOTING friction in an oil. Hummmmm......how does that work? | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
It actually makes since, because they lessened the spring load and the additive was similar to one used in automatic transmissions to promote friction in the bands. ... RL would like us to do some test on a few of their products, but I am not too keen on the idea of using my new ULY for them. ... Terry | ||
| Chadhargis |
I hear ya! Unless they are going to pay for the repairs, I'd let them get their own test mule. | ||
| Thunderbox |
You can add another to the list of possible fluids. We use Dexron III in our police bikes during driver training because it reduces clutch wear. This was not our idea the City Of Calgary does this and we didn't. Result clutches wore out extremely fast. We went to Dexron III and haven't had an issue since. Go figure. I am going to use Formula+ for the near and distant future. | ||
| Dmcutter |
my first bike was an 82 GpZ 550. I put Mobil 1 in one time and the clutch slipped so bad I could hardly ride it. Formula+ for me, too. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
Here is another one to think about?. Al Lighton has one of those new hyd clutch kits on his bike. If someone makes some mods and get up to 100+ HP, you could always use his hyd kit with Baker C/F or Kevlar plates and the older stronger spring and any of the good synthetic gear oils? ... Just an idea. ... Terry | ||
| Rr_eater |
AL's hyd clutch kit, best performance mod short of the pipe dollar for dollar I've spent so far. Full write up in the vault about it!! As for F+, I too would want to think about the additive package in reguards to the lighter feel clutch. If they did put an additive to improve sheering friction, then a syn lube without it would most likely slip over time. But again, only time will tell. Bruce |
